The Safest Way to Dilute Household Chemicals
Making a DIY sanitizer is as easy as mixing bleach (or alcohol) with a little water, but for safety reasons, the order in which you mix them matters more than you think. As you mix your next batch of coronavirus spray , let Chem 101’s first commandment be your guiding principle: “Do what you have to do – add acid to the water.”
Some acids generate a lot of heat when diluted, making this deceptively cute little mnemonic incredibly important in the laboratory. When water is poured into concentrated acid, too much heat is generated too quickly, causing the solution to float or explode; instead, adding acid to water slows down the reaction so much that everything stays in place.
The same strategy applies to household chemicals – even those that aren’t acidic at all – but for slightly different reasons. Whenever you pour one liquid into another, there is usually at least some initial splash – and if you pour water into a chemical, the displaced liquid flying towards your unprotected eyeballs will basically be that chemical. (This is even more likely if you turn on the tap at full power and insert a nearly empty container of bleach underneath.) By changing the order, you will ensure that the splash back is mostly water, which is significantly less hazardous to exposed skin and mucous membranes. …
If this all sounds like an overshoot of safety on a lobby monitor, keep in mind that an unexpected trip to the emergency room has never been more dangerous than it is now – and, this time, it couldn’t be easier to prevent. Bleach, ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, and vinegar may not be as dangerous to handle as strong acids, but handling them as they are is a very good idea anyway. Stay safe there and always do what you have to do.